News about Macroeconomics

Major indexes went up on Monday amid a drop in oil prices from highs, the passage of two tankers through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the war began and Trump’s announcement that the U.S. is negotiating with Iran.

American oil companies may sharply increase their revenues due to the growth of world oil prices amid the conflict with Iran, analysts believe. Top managers and experts predict their increase up to $200 per barrel.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, first imposed last April and continually modified since then, have failed to start a global trade war. Instead of retaliating against the US, much of the world effectively capitulated. This response was often seen as political weakness, especially in Europe. However, it was based on sound economic logic.

In the face of soaring energy and fuel prices, government agencies are moving to strict cost control. Ministers and agencies are obliged to cut all unnecessary purchases by at least 10%, and expenses on official transportation by at least 20%.

The 4th session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s largest legislative body, has concluded in the Chinese capital. The forum, held from March 4 to 12, summed up the results of economic development and defined key guidelines for the coming years, including the launch of a new five-year economic modernization program.

Europe is the region of the world with the highest average age of the population.

The war in Iran has shaken the global oil and gas markets. At first glance, the cryptocurrency market was less noticeably affected. But analysts warn: the risks of investing in crypto-assets have increased significantly. And they can manifest themselves in an unexpected way at any moment.

Danish Energy Minister Lars Ogor urged the country’s citizens not to get behind the wheel of a car unless absolutely necessary to save energy resources amid rising fuel prices.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed the largest ever release of strategic oil reserves – 400 million barrels – to curb the rise in oil prices caused by the war with Iran. The decision to release the reserves was made unanimously by the IEA’s 32 member countries on March 11.

The release of strategic oil reserves by the G7 countries and the US has not yet led to a drop in fuel prices. Despite large-scale interventions, the cost of Brent oil continues to hold at around $100 per barrel.

According to preliminary data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the GDP in 2025 will amount to 353.5 billion lei (in current market prices) and will increase in real terms by 2.4% compared to 2024.

There is a simple rule in the global financial system: money runs away from risk. Today, this principle may affect one of the richest regions of the planet. Sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf countries control trillions of dollars. And if the war over Iran changes their investment strategy, the consequences could be felt by markets around the world.

Obtaining assurances that war will not be resumed, the right to possess a full nuclear fuel cycle and fair compensation for damages are three tough conditions Iran has set for resuming talks with the United States.

China’s consumer price growth increased to the highest level in more than three years. Deflation in the industrial market slowed again after a rebound in energy markets and a boom in consumer spending during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Amid US President Donald Trump’s predictions about the imminent completion of the active phase of the operation against Iran, oil prices fell by 6.5%. Brent futures fell to $92.45 per barrel and US WTI to $88.65. He sees the temporary rise in oil prices as a small price to pay for security.

A majority of Swiss citizens in a referendum supported an initiative to enshrine the right to use cash in the constitution, Logos Press reports.

Overcoming the 2025 energy crisis by about two-thirds has been financed by the EU and European bilateral partners to the tune of €215 million, mainly in the form of grants for electricity procurement and support to households, businesses and social institutions. External support to the energy sector will be significantly reduced in 2026.

Approximately 50% of the price of gasoline and diesel fuel sold at gas stations in Moldova are taxes, in particular excise duties and VAT.

In February, the annual inflation rate surpassed last month’s figures, amounting to 5.1%, which is higher than in January. In January, annual inflation in Moldova decreased to 4.8% (from 6.8% in December 2025), which was the lowest level over the last 1.5 years.

Rapidly rising prices for gas and oil products are becoming a serious social problem and may result in irreparable economic losses for businesses.